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Finding the best fishing gifts for anglers can be like catching the fish of a lifetime—nearly impossible. Fishermen are very particular about their gear and all too often buy what they want as soon as they can. But the benefit of shopping for a diehard angler is that we always have our sights set on something new. If it helps us catch more fish—we want it.
With this in mind, I went into my arsenal and pulled out some gear that I know anglers would love to open on Christmas morning. I even had the opportunity to test out some new and innovative products. The key to a great fishing gift is making sure it’s useful. Ask any serious angler, and they can tell you about the endless amount of gifts we often receive that end up in the corner of the garage. Don’t add to that collection.
Simms G3 Guide Wader
A bunch of Field & Stream editors (and angling afficionados) are fans of the Simms G3 Guide wader—and for very good reason. They fit like a dream, keeping you comfortable and, most importantly, warm and dry all day long in the water. Made of three layers of durable, waterproof Gore-Tex, the waders boast a ton of thoughtful features like adjustable suspenders and waist belt, abrasion-resistant gravel guards, and pockets galore (including a fleece-lined handwarmer pocket!). Bonus: They are handmade in the USA.
Montana Knife Company Flathead Fillet Knife
If they deserve an upgrade to their current knife situation—or they don't even own a fillet knife at all—the Montana Knife Company Flathead makes a fantastic gift idea. American-made with Magnacut stainless steel, this high-end fillet knife has enough flex for cleaning and filleting your catch along with enough rigidity for other uses (like processing game if they're into hunting, too).
Shimano SLX DC Baitcast Reel
Whether your angler is new to baitcasters or a seasoned veteran, the Shimano SLX DC is worthy of any rod you pair with it. The DC part of the name stands for digital control and works using a microchip that detects and prevents backlashes before they happen. With four settings, you can dial in how much work the chip does and how far you can cast. Taking the guesswork out of baitcasters allows anglers of all skill levels to enjoy the benefits. This Shimano reel is available in several gear ratios including 6.3:1, 7.2:1, and 8.2:1, all featuring a smooth but powerful drag system.
Tackle Storage Bag
For all the gadgets and gizmos (a.k.a. lures and line) that an angler has, they need a spot to keep it all nice and neat. Enter this KastKing tackle bag, which has ample storage space for all their goodies. The numerous pockets keep everything organized, and the main compartment is roomy enough to hold eight 3700-size tackle box trays. The exterior is made of heavy-duty, water-resistant ripstop material and it features a waterproof nonslip bottom so it doesn't slide around on the boat.
Grundens Deck Boss Boots
There are a lot of good fishing boots out there, but the Grundens Deck Boss are some of our favorites. Waterproof, well-built, and comfortable, they're everything you could want in footwear for the boat deck or pier. The natural rubber outsole gives you optimal grip on wet and slippery surfaces, while the thick insole offers plenty of cushioning and support.
Berkley Forward-Facing Sonar Bait
Forward-facing sonar baits are having a moment, and Berkley is at the forefront of the new technology. The brand's PowerBait Power Switch uses FFS to allow you to first, see where the fish are and then, keep your bait in the strike zone. Featuring a very realistic baitfish profile, it comes in a rainbow of colors and a variety of sizes.
Fishing Line Spooler
Help them wind their fishing line onto their reel sans tangles, twists, and frustration with a fishing line spooler. This sturdy aluminum spooler from Piscifun works for almost any size and style of reel, whether spinning, baitcasting, or spincast. It'll get the job done in less time with less effort. Win-win.
Duck Camp Rockport Hoodie
I wore the Rockport Hooodie while fishing all summer long. It became my go-to from June to August and I was always cool, comfortable, and protected. It has a full-coverage hood design with a UPF rating of 50+. Other features include chest pocket, thumb holes, and quick-drying materials.
Turtlebox Speaker
When we tested the new Turtlebox speaker, it was easy to understand all the hype—it blew us away in terms of its amazing sound quality and rugged design. These speakers are a great size to easily bring anywhere and crank out distortion-free music at up to 120dB. The battery life of these speakers is incredible, lasting 20 hours for regular listening and 6+ hours at maximum volume. The speaker has a built in USB charger and tie down anchors to make sure it doesn’t go anywhere. Possibly the best feature of this speaker is the fact that it is fully waterproof whether it be saltwater or freshwater. It even floats! (And yes, we tossed it in the water to confirm.)
AFTCO Fishing Shorts
In the world of fishing apparel, AFTCO makes some of the best. I own a few of their sun shirts, shirts, and tanks and love the quality lightweight material that's quick drying and breathable. The Original Fishing Short is one of their top-selling pieces. Designed with plenty of room to move, these comfortable shorts come in a variety of colors and boast plenty of pocket space, including a lined pocket specifically for fishing pliers and tools.
FishVault Subscription Box
Anglers love two things: Fishing, and fishing gear. FishVault is the only subscription box delivering premium fishing gear anglers will actually use. Picked by anglers for anglers, every month FishVault partners with premium brands like Oakley, Garmin, Yeti, Bubba, Rapala, and others to deliver awesome gear. Each box comes with carefully selected rods, reels, gear, and tackle worthy of die-hard anglers. You choose the fishing preference (saltwater, freshwater, or both) and apparel sizes for your giftee, and then FishVault handles the rest. I’ve never been disappointed in a FishVault box, and it is truly the gift that keeps on giving all year long.
Lowrance Fish Finder
A good fish finder will help lead you to your next big catch. We recommend the Lowrance Hook2 as the best portable fish finder because it’s easy to use and has both a GPS plotter for tracking your course and important waypoints and a wide-angle transducer that gives you colorful detailed images.
Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament Fishing Line
Fishing line is one of those things no angler can have too much of. We dubbed the Berkley Trilene XL the best mono fishing line out there. It’s super strong yet soft enough for smooth casting—and the chance of kinks is low.
Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod
When we tested fly rods, we found the Orvis Clearwater to be one of the best thanks to its line control and smooth long casts. Plus, it performs just as well as higher end rods at just a fraction of the price.
Yeti Panga Backpack
When push comes to shove, I’m a fly fisherman. This doesn’t mean I don’t love to pick up baitcaster and throw frogs for giant bass, but I spend the majority of my time with a fly rod in hand. What this does mean is that I often find myself wading deep rivers, climbing over snowy banks, and zipping around in a falts boat. The one common theme in these pursuits is I tend to get myself, and all of my gear, wet. The Yeti Panga Backpack is a fully waterproof bag that can be submerged and still keep everything dry. I keep my camera, lenses, phone, wallet, lunch, and any other valuables I have stored here when I’m on the water. This bag gets wet, abused, and tortured when I’m fishing. It has never failed me and I absolutely love it.
Toadfish Non-Tipping Can Cooler
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve knocked over my morning coffee on the boat ride to my fishing spot. I started using the Toadfish Non-Tipping Can Cooler and there are a lot fewer coffee stains in the boat. This can holder can handle 5-foot swells in the open ocean or an off-road ATV ride—definitely one of the best fishing gifts out there. It is designed with a suction cup style base that sticks to just about any surface and refuses to budge, unless of course, you want to drink from it. It can also double as an insulated cup with the included spill-proof lid. Plus, every purchase helps fund oyster bed restoration to improve water quality and keep estuaries vibrant and healthy. Now that’s something we can all raise a glass to!
Bubba Stainless Steel Pliers
When you spend a lot of time on the water, it seems like you have two options: Spend hundreds on a nice set of pliers that will last or constantly buy a new cheap pair. These Bubba pliers give you that quality construction at an affordable price. Built entirely out of stainless steel with a titanium nitride coating, they have built-in carbide cutters that will breeze through just about anything and crimp cutouts for heavy saltwater rigs. These are my go-to pliers for rigging, unhooking fish, and anything else you can throw at them.
Smith Guide’s Choice Sunglasses
One of the most important pieces of fishing gear are polarized sunglasses. Finding the right pair for an angler can be tricky depending on how and where they fish. The Guide’s Choice glasses solve that problem. These sunglasses offer great coverage with a wraparound frame design to minimize the amount of sunlight that can sneak in from the edges. There is something for every angler with 6 different frame colors and 18 lens options. The Guide’s Choice is built to last for years to come and with Smith’s excellent customer service they will always be there to help with any issues you might have.
Yeti Camino Carryall Tote
I’ll be the first to admit that the inside of my truck looks like a bomb went off. The floor is buried underneath a mountain of fishing gear. Tackle boxes, waders, boots, and bags all combine for one big mosh pit. I started using the Yeti Camino 35 this fall and it especially helped with one area of my fishing hoarding problem—boots and waders. The durable and waterproof material of the Camino allows me to put my wet and muddy boots right in without having to worry. Don’t ask how I know, but having your waders and boots in one place saves you from the frustration and embarrassment of showing up to the river with only one boot. Even when you aren’t fishing the Camino serves are a great beach bag, boat bag, and camping bag. It has deployable dividers and comes in handy on many of my adventures.
Megabass Vision 110 FX Jerkbait
Ask any angler what the best jerkbait is and chances are they’ll say Megabass, and rightfully so. The Vision OneTen FX is at the top of the lineup. Some of the features are truly impressive including a folding lip to improve casting distance and hooks with barbs on the outside of the bend for better hookups. These baits fish just as well as they look and can be an amazing prespawn lure for springtime bass or fished in tailwater rivers for trophy trout. When it comes to best fishing gifts, it’s hard to beat a great jerkbait. Available in thirteen colors you can match any baitfish you need.
Buff Neck Gaiter
Keep their neck protected from the elements with a Buff neck gaiter. Made of 100% ethically sourced merino wool, these soft gaiters are as lightweight as they are odor-resistant and versatile. Your buddy can wear them around their neck or on their head in any number of styles.
Old Town ePDL+ Fishing Kayak
Okay, this one is a splurge. But trust us, it is so worth it. The new Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 is beyond anything you could imagine in terms of fishing kayaks. Our Director of Commerce, Amanda Oliver, got to test one out on a fishing trip in Maine—and she couldn't believe its performance and ease of use. It's like the e-bike of kayaks. It has a built-motor for pedal assist so you can cruise around to all your favorite fishing spots with zero paddling required. Plus, like any other Old Town kayak, it's built to last (and made right here in the USA), sturdy and stable for use in any conditions, and surprisingly lightweight.
